underwired bras - what do they do?

[hazeyjane]

Am about to buy some new bras (discovered I am wearing completely the wrong size) but having always worn non wired bras, i'm not sure what the reason is for having wired.Do they give more support? A better shape?

Help please.

Both, better for bigger breasts

they stop me tripping over my nipples

make my tits look fantastic and keep dp drooling and the odd naught school boy behave.

Shape and support (and defying gravity)

They hoik and frame and occasionally dig in.

god I wouldn't be able to stand up without an underwired

hazeyjane, i was exactly the same as you, wore non wired all thw time, but my boobs looked like the were disapearing into my armpits.
i got measured and bought wired ones, which do give better shape, but i am yet to find a totally comfortable one. i have not been to the expensive shops like bravissimo or rigby and peller simply cause i live too far away form a shop to get measured.(there is a bravissimo in nottingham, but didnt know till about 2 months ago and i have not been back there since)
but when i do come accross a good shop i will try there.

the best one i own at the mo, is one from debenhams own range of bras.

i dont think ihave ever worn a non wired bra

They shove em up and stop your norks from swinging under your armpits ..i heart underwired bras

thankyou ladies!

The bra I tried on in M&S today was underwired and really comfortable (lizandlulu, it was one if you want to have a try), I was just worried that the wires might start poking me. However, if it will stop my boobs disappearing down to my navel then I will put up with it!

Now I just have to get over having to stare at myself from every angle in an M&S mirror - grim!

I don't see how people manage without underwires I even paid extortionate amounts to get underwired nursing bras as I couldn't stand the useless nonwired ones- I am an F cup right now and need some scaffolding! It makkes no sense to me that when I am bf my boobs need support more than ever but all the high street offers is useless, unflattering white granny bras

I'm only a 34B but I am always underwired-gives more shape.

All the non-wired ones I've seen look really frumpy - that's the main reason I have wired bras!

If they are uncomfortable it is probably because you are getting the wrong size. I thought for years that I was 36A and that the wires dug in because norks too far apart, now after a fitting I know that the wire should go right round outside and be far further over than I thought, this brought magical enhancement, no digging in and the lovely realisation I am really 36C.

Stops them bouncing about or sloshing out from underneath.

Always wash in a laundry bag - you don't want to get a wire stuck in the washing machine drum.

hazeyjane-please don't rely on marks and spencer for bras or measuring. they are terrible. get thee to a bravissimo who aren't incidentally expensive really, but are fantastic at fitting a bra and will make you look and feel a million dollars.

m & s measured me to be a 42 b/c, la senza said i was 38dd.

i need a bravissimo soon!!

Bravissimo are good at measuring but no better than some of the big department stores like House of Fraser, John Lewis, and Selfridges.

Avoid M&S at all costs!

I agree that underwires shouldn't hurt or dig in if they fit properly. I'd say non-wired bras are probably only any good for very small breasts and/or first bras for teenagers. Otherwise, wires are best!

Oh bugger! I've just placed an order with M&S, after being measured there on Saturday. I tried on the bra I've ordered so hopefully it will be ok, I've been wearing a 38c, and measured a 34d (I bought 38c when i had just had last dd -18 months ago, and was a 34c pre dd's, so hopefully I am not too far out)

I off to google bravissimo, and see if there is one anywhere near me.

Dh just didn't understand why I would need a couple of hours to buy a bra, so i will show him this thread to show him what a minefield bra buying is!

M & S solved my bra fitting problem, and I do think I am a genuine 36c which is what they measured me at, suspect larger sizes are more difficult to get right as you get the "double" factor to measure in i.e. DD HH etc. means there are more sizes that are possibilities.

For me, Bravissimo was much better for sizing than John Lewis. One of the bras I tried on I was poking out the top - the whole four breast look. JL assistant couldn't understand why I thought this was a problem. Bravissimo take the time to explain why a back strap that initially feels uncomfortably tight is actually a good thing. I love Bravissimo!

dont worry hazeyjane, if you tied it on and it was fine, there is no problem[grin[

just make sure you try them on in future cause imo they dont all fit the same even though they are the same size

i have a 42b which fits fine when i am ment to be 38dd!

Generally underwired boosts your shape.

I found that when I was breastfeeding I didn't want or need wiring. But now I am back to my normal shape and size I am wearing underwired bras again.

lizandlulu - get thee to a bravissimo post haste! There is no way the back of your 42b bra is doing its job if you're really a 38dd. Also, without knowing you at all, so just on the balance of probability, I'd be quite surprised if you're really a 38 back - I'm a size 20, and only wear a 36 back. (I used to wear much bigger backs before I went to Bravissimo.) The back is supposed to do nearly all the work of supporting you, so it's really important that it's tight enough to do that. (Plus it makes you look and feel so much better!)

cornflake girl you are probably right although i wnet to a local specalist shop too in town, she tried to put me in a 36 and i could hardly breathe. she said i was better in a 38, she didnt even measure me, just knew form experience